Wall Street Journal apologizes for 'insensitive' tweet involving Venus Williams
The Wall Street Journal apologized Thursday after a tweet featuring tennis star Venus Williams prominently featured the text, "Something's not white!"
A tweet promoting our story on Wimbledon's clothing rules was seen by some as insensitive. This wasn't our intent. We have deleted the tweet pic.twitter.com/3mi57XvhTX
— Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) July 13, 2017
The tweet Thursday morning linked to a story about a men's singles player at Wimbledon, Jurij Rodionov, who violated the All England Club’s all-white clothing rules. Williams had unwittingly violated the same rule July 3, when her pink bra became exposed in her opening-round victory against Elise Mertens. She changed her outfit between sets.
But the juxtaposition of Williams' photo in Thursday's tweet, accompanied by the text, struck some as insensitive and tone deaf.
"A tweet promoting our story on Wimbledon's clothing rules was seen by some as insensitive," read the WSJ's apology. "This wasn't our intent. We have deleted the tweet."
The WSJ tweeted out a new promo for its story.
Wimbledon’s undergarment police are out in force https://t.co/GwOASM0K8H
— Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) July 13, 2017
That tweet referencing "police" could also be viewed by some as insensitive, given the recent police investigation into a fatal auto accident involving Williams. Police determined that Williams "lawfully" entered a Florida intersection seconds before a fatal crash June 9 in her SUV resulted in a man's death.